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N.C. Division of Tourism works to bring visitors to movie locations

Actor Josh Duhamel visited the Christmas House in Southport during a "Safe Haven" re-shoot earlier this month. There, he posed with customers for pictures and bought his mother two large Santas for her collection.

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 10:32 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 10:32 p.m.

Note: This is an updated version of the story. An earlier version included inaccurate information about the city's involvement in a Southport celebration of the film.

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Those interested in sharing stories about "Safe Haven" or the film's economic impact are asked to email the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce at karen@southport-oakisland.com or the Southport Tourism & Economic division at atcindy_brochure@southportnc.org.

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Tourism officials bet efforts to trumpet the February premiere of a Southport-made movie will pay off in increased Southeastern North Carolina visibility, identity and visitors.

The state's tourism officials and local chambers of commerce will develop visitor itineraries and share anecdotes online from this summer's filming of "Safe Haven," which is set to hit theaters on Valentine's Day.

Expectations for the Nicholas Sparks film are high.

Officials hope to match the $2.5 million in publicity revenue drummed up earlier this year by the North Carolina filmed "Hunger Games" movie, said Wit Tuttell, marketing director of the state's Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.

About 157 million people tuned in to national media coverage on the film's locations, he said.

"Hunger Games was really sensational in the amount of attention for the state it generated," Tuttell said. "We can only hope ‘Safe Haven' creates the same kind of buzz. We haven't seen the movie yet, but we're hoping that the scenery is one of the leading characters."

The romantic thriller, which is based on a Sparks novel set in Southport, stars Josh Duhamel ("Transformers"), Julianne Hough ("Footloose"), David Lyons ("Revolution") and Cobie Smulders ("How I Met Your Mother").

Local tourism leaders say the coastal Brunswick County town will be hard to miss.

"Southport is not just where the movie filmed, it's part of the cast," said the city's tourism director, Cindy Brochure. "It's so identifiable. The marketing value is massive."

The film's Relativity Media producers are considering a Southport pre-screening but likely will not have a decision on the event until after the holiday season, Brochure said.

Despite studio plans, a celebration will be held in Southport. Event plans have not been finalized, and any city expenditures would first have to be approved by the city’s Board of Aldermen.

Southport's Surf Cinema at 4836 Long Beach Road Southeast will screen the film in multiple theaters, while the city will throw an after party with room for about 250 guests, Brochure said.

Officials also are considering a pre-screening event for the film's local workers and extras.

"We want to share the news with people now, so we can include as many people in the celebration as we can," she said.

Meanwhile, Brochure and the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce ask local businesses to share information on spots frequented by cast members. The information could be included in print materials, visitor destination maps and on VisitNC.com.

The advertising campaign will have a global scope, with the state's tourism offices in Canada, the United Kingdom and German-speaking Europe promoting the region.

"We'll have a list that features the businesses the stars visited, but we're also encouraging people to start thinking about promoting themselves if they worked on the film or had merchandise featured in it."

The staff at Southport's Christmas House retail shop still have stars in their eyes from a visit from Duhamel.

The "Safe Haven" star bought two Santa Claus figurines for his mother there while he was in town to shoot additional scenes for the film earlier this month, shop owner Ann Endres said.

Endres said she's happy to share the story with whoever is interested.

<p><i>Note: This is an updated version of the story. An earlier version included inaccurate information about the city's involvement in a Southport celebration of the film.</i></p><p>Tourism officials bet efforts to trumpet the February premiere of a Southport-made movie will pay off in increased Southeastern North Carolina visibility, identity and visitors.</p><p>The state's tourism officials and local chambers of commerce will develop visitor itineraries and share anecdotes online from this summer's filming of "Safe Haven," which is set to hit theaters on Valentine's Day.</p><p>Expectations for the Nicholas Sparks film are high.</p><p>Officials hope to match the $2.5 million in publicity revenue drummed up earlier this year by the North Carolina filmed "Hunger Games" movie, said Wit Tuttell, marketing director of the state's Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.</p><p>About 157 million people tuned in to national media coverage on the film's locations, he said.</p><p>"Hunger Games was really sensational in the amount of attention for the state it generated," Tuttell said. "We can only hope 'Safe Haven' creates the same kind of buzz. We haven't seen the movie yet, but we're hoping that the scenery is one of the leading characters."</p><p>The romantic thriller, which is based on a Sparks novel set in Southport, stars Josh Duhamel ("Transformers"), Julianne Hough ("Footloose"), David Lyons ("Revolution") and Cobie Smulders ("How I Met Your Mother").</p><p>Local tourism leaders say the coastal Brunswick County town will be hard to miss.</p><p>"Southport is not just where the movie filmed, it's part of the cast," said the city's tourism director, Cindy Brochure. "It's so identifiable. The marketing value is massive."</p><p>The film's Relativity Media producers are considering a Southport pre-screening but likely will not have a decision on the event until after the holiday season, Brochure said.</p><p>Despite studio plans, a celebration will be held in Southport. Event plans have not been finalized, and any city expenditures would first have to be approved by the city's Board of Aldermen.</p><p>Southport's Surf Cinema at 4836 Long Beach Road Southeast will screen the film in multiple theaters, while the city will throw an after party with room for about 250 guests, Brochure said.</p><p>Officials also are considering a pre-screening event for the film's local workers and extras.</p><p>"We want to share the news with people now, so we can include as many people in the celebration as we can," she said.</p><p>Meanwhile, Brochure and the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce ask local businesses to share information on spots frequented by cast members. The information could be included in print materials, visitor destination maps and on VisitNC.com.</p><p>The advertising campaign will have a global scope, with the state's tourism offices in Canada, the United Kingdom and German-speaking Europe promoting the region.</p><p>"We'll have a list that features the businesses the stars visited, but we're also encouraging people to start thinking about promoting themselves if they worked on the film or had merchandise featured in it."</p><p>The staff at Southport's <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/holidays02"><b>Christmas</b></a> House retail shop still have stars in their eyes from a visit from Duhamel.</p><p>The "Safe Haven" star bought two Santa Claus figurines for his mother there while he was in town to shoot additional scenes for the film earlier this month, shop owner Ann Endres said.</p><p>Endres said she's happy to share the story with whoever is interested.</p><p>"We can now say we're the Christmas store to the stars," Endres said.</p><p><i></p><p>Cassie Foss: 343-2365</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @WilmOnFilm</i></p>